How to Repair Chipped or Cracked China

China--a smooth, glassy form of baked clay--is among the most beautiful tableware materials ever created. You don't have to break the bank to fix a cracked teacup or a chipped water pitcher.

Skill level:

Moderate

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Things you need

Disposable Cup

Epoxy Glue

Masking Tape

Acrylic Paint For Touch-up

Clear Glaze

Glue Stick Or Matchstick

Paintbrush

Razor Blade Or X-Acto Knife

Oven Mitts

Plastic Or Wood Cutting Board

Toothpick

Milliput

Paint Powder

220-grit Sandpaper

Oven mitts

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Instructions

For chips

1

Roll equal quantities of milliput, which comes in a kit with two tubes, into a ball until the two colors have fused. You can buy milliput, a type of modeling putty, at art supply stores.

2

Apply the milliput to the chip with a toothpick, then return the chip to its original position.

3

If needed, place masking tape taut across the repaired area to hold in place.

4

Allow the chip to set for 6 hours, then remove any masking tape.

5

Sand gently with fine (220-grit) sandpaper until the milliput is flush with the surface. Take care not to damage the china's glaze or decoration.

6

Touch up with acrylic paint as needed.

7

Brush on a clear glaze, available at art supply stores, if you wish to achieve a glossy finish.

For cracks

1

Put the cracked piece of china in an oven at very low heat--150and#176; to 200and#176;F (65and#176; to 95and#176;C).

2

Mix epoxy glue (which comes in a kit with two tubes) in the tray that comes with the epoxy glue or in a disposable cup.

3

Dip a glue stick, matchstick or toothpick into paint powder that matches the china color. Mix until the color looks right.

4

Take the cracked item out of the oven using oven mitts, then place on a plastic or wood cutting board. The heat of the oven will cause the crack to widen ever so slightly.

5

Fill the crack with the tinted glue mixture, using the small stick. Let dry overnight. The crack will condense as the china cools.

6

Chip away hardened glue with a razor blade or an X-Acto knife.

For more serious breakage

1

If the china is an antique or of great sentimental value, hire a professional ceramic restorer to do the repair. Ask for a reference at an antiques shop or search the yellow pages or Internet under "china" or "antique" repair and restoration.

2

Contact a china replacement company if an irreparably broken piece of china is part of a set.

Tips and warnings

Look for paint powder (available at home supply and art supply stores) that is recommended for china.

If you send your china to a ceramic restorer to have it fixed, package each piece separately in bubble wrap or tissue. Many restorers have a backlog and the repair work is time-consuming, so it may take weeks or months for your repair to be completed.

Restored china will never be as strong as the original piece. Use it as infrequently as possible.